The Heat is ON!

Weather: Mostly Cloudy, 90°F, 61% Humidity, Wind: SW @ 14 mph, gusting up to 21 mph; feels like 92°F.
Actual Run: 4.5 miles in :53:30-ish min. @ 9:00 a.m. Pace: 11:30(!!!!) min/mi.
Course: "The 4.5 mile is the first loop of the nine miles... While the course will have at least one water stop, we recommend that you carry a water bottle with you... No map available since it takes a unique path through the park, however, the course is extremely well marked and you only get lost if you completely zone out, so paying attention is a recommended idea :)."

Pre-Run Ruminations: The past two days of riding the twenty-two miles back ands forth from work are beginning to take their toll on my body. This morning I wake up with my legs feeling achy and the cyst which has developed on the top of my left foot throbbing (more on that at alter time). I make my ritualistic pre-run coffee with the hopes that in the three-plus hours between this moment and the race, I will snap out of it. The heat today looks to be as excruciating as yesterday.... it's only 6:18 and it already "feels like" 84°F outside.

This morning's running of the PowerBar Trail Race will be the third (fourth?) time I have participated in this race, and only once previously did I opt out following the first 4.5 mile loop. Depending on how I'm feeling with the heat today (as well as, how anxious I am feeling about getting home, showering and getting to my son's baseball game at 11:30 a.m.) I'm getting the internal vibe that I could go either way. I've already prepared to bring H2O, gel and PowerAde with me to combat the heat. Of course, being a trail race, I am also anticipating that it will actually be cooler under the canopy of trees within Mendon Ponds Park.

Last year, I ran the complete 9 mile course in 1:11:30 on a day with much (nearly 20 degrees) cooler conditions. My goal for today is to simply match last year's performance, that is, if I can go the whole nine miles (which many cannot at this particular race).

Post-Race Reflections: Due to a number of different factors: the heat, my own snot-so-surprisingly tired legs, and a medical emergency (one which teh person involved is recovering nicely) I opted for a s-l-l-o-o-w 4.5 mile run today under a VERY warm canopy and startlingly bright sunshine... I had never been so happy to see the giant inflatable "Finish Line" after taking the chicken-s left to complete the race after 4.5 miles, rather than studding up for the entire nine (which would have included another loop).

It was wonderful to be back at another YellowJacket Racing event, which I have missed of late due to marathony type-stuff. The post-run spread was excellent and it's official: watermelon is my favoritest post-run snack!

Breathe in, breathe out… YOU AND I ARE ALIVE!